Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Today we in America celebrate Veterans Day and honor the men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces. For most of the rest of the world, this is also Armistice Day, which commemorates the end of World War I at 11:11 AM on 11/11, 1918. In honor of our veterans, then, we at The Vault thought it would be appropriate to take a look at some of the many fine war comics that have graced shelves over the years. So without further ado, here's our list of the Top Ten Sgt. Fury Covers of all time.

10)Sgt. Fury #50

This cover from regular Sgt. Fury art team Dick Ayers and John Severin is one of the most iconic Sgt. Fury images ever; during the 60's, Marvel used it for promotion and turned it into a poster.

9)Sgt. Fury #9

Jack Kirby based much of his work in this series on his own experiences as a veteran of World War II. He didn't get to capture Hitler, but like the characters in Inglorious Basterds, he certainly would have liked to.

8)Sgt. Fury #100

In this star-studded anniversary special, Stan Lee emcees a post-war Howlers reunion that is interrupted when a sniper tries to assassinate Reb Ralston because of his work as a Senator in favor of civil rights.

7) Sgt. Fury #24

This gripping effort from Kirby is unusual in the sketchiness of the inking, which adds some pathos to this image of a worn down Fury facing a host of unseen adversaries.

6)Sgt. Fury #96

Published during the Vietnam War, this effort show the influence of contemporary concern in its depiction of a Japanese civilian caught in the crossfire. It doesn't take much to imagine that artist Gil Kane is instead depicting Vietnamese or Cambodian refugees.

5)Sgt. Fury #74

The inimitable John Severin returns with this classic solo effort.

4)Sgt. Fury #38

A great and evocative cover of Fury and the Howlers involved in a dangerous night drop behind enemy lines. I think this cover is from Dick Ayers, but I'm not entirely sure.

3)Sgt. Fury #16

Perhaps no war artist ever captured the exhaustion of the average soldier on the front lines as well as Kirby in this effort.

2)Sgt. Fury #13

Of course, this is a bit of a ringer, since it has Captain America on it; but as a character defined by World War II, it's somehow fitting that he star on this classic Kirby effort from the Silver Age.

1)Sgt. Fury #67

Again, Severin comes through, this time with an American Flag cover that is only matched by the unique color-coded panel and page layouts inside the comics. Seriously, it has to be seen to be believed.

About The Vault

On his first trip to a comic book store, Vault creator Scott Harris bought Amazing Adventures #6 and Flash #137 for a quarter each. It's all been downhill from there. To contact Scott with complaints or feedback, use this Boom Tube.

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